Dispenser cap for containers



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 18, 1957 M. MATH DISPENSER CAP FOR CONTAINERS Filed May 10, 1956 June 18, 1957 M. MATH DISPENSER CAP FOR CONTAINERS "2 Shqets-Sheet 2 Filed May 10, 1956 IN V EN TOR. MOE

MATH

ATTORNEY United States Patent 2,796,204 DISPENSER CAP FOR CONTAINERS Moe Math, Bronx, N. Y,

Application May it, 1956, Serial No. 584,014 9 (Ilaims. ((11.222-324) This invention relates to dispensers, attachable to bottles holding liquid substances. While the invention is adapted to facilitate the dispensing of liquids from bottles or other containers generally, it is particulary well adapted for dispensing liquids where a comparatively small quantity is to be dispensed at a single time, and where, further,

the bottle may be comparatively large or heavy, making desirable the dispensing of the liquids without necessity of tilting or lifting the bottle. Such might be the case, for example, with respect to wine or whiskey bottles, and might also be the case where hair tonic, shave lotion, liquid shampoo or the like are to bedispensed.

One important object of the invention is to provide an improved dispenser wherein a pumping action is effected within a tube of syphonelike characteristics, through the medium of a depressible, reciprocating'actuating bar so designed as to be easily manipulated by. a user, with said bar being adapted to pump the liquid through a spout, with a predetermined amount of th e liquid being dispensed responsive to a single depression of said bar. In this way, it is proposed to permit measure-d amounts of liquid to be dispensed, either directly onto the hand or into a suitable container, and in the case of dispensing whiskey, for example, the measured quantity may be sufficient to .fill a jigger or pony, or other small glass holding a specified amount for mixing purposes.

Another object of importance is to provide a dispenser of the type referred to which, following initial pumping to draw the liquid up Within a provided dispensing tube, will require, subsequently, only a single reciprocation of the actuating bar each time the measuredquant ity ofliquid is to be dispensed.

Still another object is to form the device in such a manner as to facilitate its attachment, in substitution of the usual cap, to conventionally designed bottles or similar containers.

A further object of importance is to form a liquid dispensing device in such a manner as to permit its construction at comparatively low cost, considering the adaptability thereof for dispensing a predetermined quantity of liquid by a single depression of the actuating means, and without tilting or movement of the bottle.

Still another object is to provide a liquid dispenser of the type referred to which will be efficient in action, substantially trouble-free in operation, and will be adapted to stand heavy use over a substantial period of time,'thus adapting the dispenser for use in bars, restaurants, barber shops, etc.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and

to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly'set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

;Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a liquid dispenser termed according to the present invention, as itappe'ars ice when in use, an associated bottle being partially broken away.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the valve means of the dispenser.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, on an enlarged scale, substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, the full lines showing the valve in closed position and the dotted lines showing the valve in open position.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the valve plunger per se.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the actuating bar per se.

Fig. 6 its a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 1, showing the means for attaching the device to the bottle.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary longitudinal sectional view on line 7-7 of Fig. 1, showing the pinion for effecting reciprocation of the valve plunger.

The reference numeral 10 generally designates the dispensing device formed according to the present invention, applied to a bottle 12.

The device includes a cap element 14 of inverted cup shape having internal threads (see Fig. 6) adapted to engage the conventional external threads of the bottle neck,

" thus to mount the device in proper position upon the bottle.

The cap element, in its end Wall, has a center opening 16, and fixedly secured in said opening is the intermediate portion of a tubular, open-ended housing 18. The'hous ing 18, at its lower end, terminates approximately at the base of the neck of the bottle, so that the lower end of the housing, for a purpose to be made presently apparent, will be disposed above the level of the liquid within the bottle, at all times, even when the bottle is full.

Formed in the tubular housing 18 is a longitudinal, Wide guide slot 20, said guide slot opening at its upper end upon the'upper end of the tubular housing and terminating at its lower end intermediate the ends of the housing, just above the cap element 14.

Slidably guided within the 'slot 20 is an actuating bar generally designated 22, said bar being slidably engaged not only with the tubular housing 18 but also with a dispensing tube 24 through which the liquid flows when the device is in use.

At its upper end, the tubular'housing has a recess 26 disposed diametrically opposite the slot 20, and extending outwardly through said recess 26 is the spout 28 of the device. The spout 28 is connected at its inner end fixedly to the dispensing tube 24, in communication with the interior of the dispensing tube, the dispensing tube extending upwardly a short distance above the inlet end of the spout.

As shown to particular advantage in Fig. 2, and'as shown also in Fig. 5, the lower end portion of the actuating bar 22 has a longitudinally extending, transversely curved face 30 slidably contacting the comp lementarily curved surface of the tube 24. The tube 24, as will be noted in Fig. 2, is eccentric to the housing 18, and is Welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the inner surface of the housing.

The lower end portion of the bar 22, at opposite sides of the surface 30, has longitudinally extending guide Wings 32, said wings having curved outer surfaces engaging slidably against the inner surface of the housing 18, at opposite sides of the slot 20.

The upper end portion of the bar 22 is reduced in transverse area, and has a series of rack teeth 34 formed thereon.

of the users hand. Secured to the cap element below the tab is a handle 37, which can be grasped by the hand of the user in the manner shown in Fig. 1, so that when the handle 37 is grasped by the forefinger, the thumb can be employed to depress the actuating bar.

Normally shifting the actuating bar to an upper position is a spring means, mounted upon a set collar 40 secured to the housing 18 at a selected location along the length of the housing. Anchored at one end to collar 40 and projecting laterally, outwardly from the housing, is an upwardly bowed leaf spring 42 bearing against the underside of the tab 36. It will thus be seen that each time the tab is depressed by the thumb of the user, to lower the actuating bar, the spring 42 will be somewhat flattened out, and subsequently, when the downward pressure is relieved, the spring 42 will shift the actuating bar in a return direction, back to its upper position.

Reciprocating within the dispensing tube, in a path parallel to that in which the actuating bar reciprocates, is a valve plunger generally designated 44. The plunger 44 has a transversely curved back surface slidably engaging against the inner surface of the tube 24, and on the front surface of the valve plunger, at the upper end thereof, is a series of rack teeth 46. The lower end portion of the plunger is formed with an elongated dispensing opening 48, and at its lower end, the plunger has a laterally extending, exteriorly circular disc fixedly secured thereto. Disc 50 has an aperture 52 normally closed by a flap valve 54. The flap valve is formed of a flexible, thin material, such as rubber, and is cemented or otherwise secured adjacent the lower end of the opening 48 to the disc. The flap valve constitutes a check valve, and it will be seen that whenever the plunger is elevated, the flap valve will swing to a closed position shown in full lines in Fig. 3. When, however, the plunger is depressed, the flap valve will open to permit the liquid to flow through the aperture 52.

Formed upon the upper end of the dispensing tube are laterally spaced ears 56, and between the ears there is rotatably mounted a pinion 58 freely rotatable upon a pin 60 extending between the ears (see Fig. 7).

In use of the device, and assuming that the container is full, the actuating bar will initially be in its uppermost position by reason of the pressure of the spring42 thereagainst. The teeth of the actuating bar are in mesh with the pinion, and also in mesh with the pinion, at a diametrically opposite location thereon, are the teeth of the plunger 44. Therefore, when the actuating bar is in its uppermost position, the plunger will be moved to-its lowermost positon. In this position of the valve plunger, the dispensing opening 48 is in communication, at its upper end, with the inlet of the spout 28. The dispensing opening 48, in fact, is in communication with the spout both in the uppermost and lower extreme positions of the valve plunger.

Assuming now that liquid is to be dispensed, the tab 36 is depressed against the restraint of the spring 42. This lowers the actuating bar, causing a corresponding upward movement of the valve plunger. As the valve plunger moves upwardly, the flap valve 54 will be in a closed position. Therefore, a partial vacuum will be created within the tube 24 below the valve disc 59. The liquid within the container is under atmospheric pressure, due to the eccentric disposition of the tube 24 within the tube 18, providing an air inlet passage within the tubular housing 18 surrounding tube 24. The air enters through the lower end portion of the guide slot 20 as shown by the arrows in Fig. 1, and moves downwardly within the tubular housing, flowing out of the lower end thereof, which lower end of the tubular housing, as previously mentioned, is above the maximum, highest level of the liquid. The air enters the bottle, of course, to replace the liquid drawn upwardly within the dispensing tube 24 responsive to upward movement of the valve plunger through the first half of its initial stroke.

When the actuating bar has been depressed to the maximum extent, pressure on the tab 36 is released, and

the actuating bar will now move upwardly under the pressure of the spring 42. The valve plunger will now move downwardly, and this will cause the flap valve to swing to open position, since the pressure on the outer side thereof is greater than the pressure above the same. The flap valve, it should be noted, is of a highly flexible, thin material, so as to impart the maximum freedom of swinging movement thereto.

When, now, the plunger is again moved upwardly, the liquid will be drawn upwardly within the dispensing tube still further. As a result, after a number of up and down movements of the actuating bar and plunger, the liquid will rise to the level of the disc 50 with the valve plunger in its top position. On the next downstroke of the plunger, the flap valve will open and the liquid will move through the aperture 52 to an area of the tube 24 above the disc 50. On the next upstroke of the valve plunger, the liquid above the disc 50 will be lifted and will flow out of the spout, in a predetermined, measured amount. As the liquid is lifted and fiows out of the spout during the upstroke of the plunger, liquid below the disc will be pulled upwardly and, on the next downstroke of the plunger, will flow through the opening 52 to replace the liquid dispensed.

It will thus be seen that although the initial dispensing of the liquid involves a number of reciprocating move ments of the valve plunger and actuating bar, subsequently, each time the predetermined measured quantity of liquid is to'be dispensed, a single depression of the actuatingbar-will effect the flow of the measured quantity out of the spout, and this functional characteristic will remain until the bottle is substantially completely empty.

The device, thus, is well adapted for the dispensing of liquors, liquid shampoo, hair tonic, or any other liquid which may be kept in a relatively large, heavy bottle, and which is to be dispensed in comparatively small, measured amounts.

1 After the bottle has been emptied, the device can of course be readily removed, and applied to a new bottle, and can be reused again and again, over an indefinite period of time.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1s:

. 1. A liquid dispenser for attachment to a container comprising a tubular housing, means for mounting the housing upon said container with the housing extending into the container, a dispensing tube extending within the housing and having an inlet within the container and a dispensing spout outside the container, check valve means reciprocably mounted in the dispensing tube and adapted when reciprocated to draw liquid through the inlet for flow of the liquid through the spout, and means mounted on the housing for reciprocating said valve means, said means for mounting the housing on the container comprising a cap element fixedly secured to the housing and adapted for fixed connection to the container, the valve means comprising an elongated plunger extending longitudinally of and within the depensing tube, the plunger including an apertured disc slidably engaged throughout its periphery with the wall of the tube and projecting laterally from thelower end of the plunger, and a check valve element carried by said disc and adapted to permit flow through the tube only in the direction of the dispensing spout.

2. A liquid dispenser for attachment to a container comprising a tubular housing, means for mounting the housing upon said container with the housing extending greases '5 into the container, a dispensing tube extending within th housing and having an inlet within the container and a dispensing spout outside the container, check valve means reciprocably mounted in the dispensing tube and adapted when reciprocated to draw liquid through the inlet for flow of the liquid through the spout, and means mounted on the housing for reciprocating said valve means, said means for mounting the housing on the container comprising a cap element fixedly secured to the housing and adapted for fixed connection to the container, the valve means comprising an elongated plunger extending longitudinally of and within the dispensing tube, the plunger including an apertured disc slidably engaged throughout its periphery with the wall of the tube and projecting laterally from the lower end of the plunger, and 'a check valve element carried by said disc and adapted to permit flow through the tube only in the direction of the dispensing spout, the plunger having an elongated dispensing opening registering with the dispensing spout in each position to which the plunger is reciprocated.

3. A liquid dispenser for attachment to a container comprising a tubular housing, means for mounting the housing upon said container with the housing extending into the container, a dispensing tube extending within the housing and having an inlet within the container and a dispensing spout outside the container, check valve means reciprocably mounted in the dispensing tube and adapted when reciprocated to draw liquid through the inlet for flow of the liquid through the spout, and means mounted on the housing for reciprocating said valve means, said means for mounting the housing on the container comprising a cap element fixedly secured to the housing and adapted for fixed connection to the container, the valve means comprising an elongated plunger extending longitudinally of and within the dispensing tube, the plunger including an apertured disc slidably engaged throughout its periphery with the wall of the tube and projecting laterally from the lower end of the plunger, and a check valve element carried by said disc and adapted to permit flow through the tube only in the direction of the dispensing spout, the plunger having an elongated dispensing opening registering with the dispensing spout in each position to which the plunger is reciprocated, said plunger including a series of rack teeth, the means for reciprocating the valve means including a pinion rotatably mounted upon the dispensing tube in mesh with said rack teeth.

4. A liquid dispenser for attachment to a container comprising a tubular housing, means for mounting'the housing upon said container with the housing extending into the container, a dispensing tube extending within the housing and having an inlet within the container and a dispensing spout outside the container, check valve means reciprocably mounted in the dispensing tube and adapted when reciprocated to draw liquid through the inlet for flow of the liquid through the spout, and means mounted on the housing for reciprocating said valve means, said means for mounting the housing on the container .comprising a cap element fixedly secured to the housing and adapted for fixed connection to the container, the valve means comprising an elongated plunger extending longitudinally of and within the dispensing tube, the plunger including an apertured disc slidably engaged throughout its periphery with the wall of the tube and projecting laterally from the lower end of the plunger, and a check valve element carried by said disc and adapted to permit flow through the tube only in the direction of the dispensing spout, the plunger having an elongated dispensing opening registering with the dispensing spout in each position to which the plunger is reciprocated, said plunger including a series of rack teeth, the means for reciprocating the valve means including a pinion rotatably mounted upon the dispensing tube in mesh with said rack teeth, the housing having a longitudinal guide slot, said means for reciprocatingthe valve means further including an actuating bar slidably engaged in said slot and formed with aseries of rack teeth in mesh with the pinion.

5..A liquid dispenser for attachment to a container comprising a tubular housing, means *for mounting the housing upon said container with the housing extending into the container, a dispensing tube extending within the housing and having an inlet within the container and a dispensing spout outside the container, check valve means reciprocably mounted in the dispensing tube and adapted when reciprocated to draw liquid through the inlet for flow of the liquid through the spout, and means mounted on the housing for reciprocating said valve means, said means for mounting the housing on the container comprising a cap element fixedly secured to the housing and adapted for fixed connection to the container, the valve means comprising an elongated plunger extending longitudinally of and within the dispensing tube, the plunger including an :apertured disc slidably engaged throughout its periphery with the wall of the tube and projecting laterally from the lower end of the plunger, and a check valve element carried by said disc and adapted to permit flow through the tube only in the direction of the dispensing spout, the plunger having an elongated dispensing opening registering with the dispensing spout in each position to which the plunger is reoiprocated, said plunger including a series of rack teeth, the means for reciprocating the valve means including a pinion rotatably mounted upon the dispensing tube in mesh with said rack teeth, the housing having a longitudinal guide slot, said means for reciprocating the valve means further including an actuating 'b-ar slidably engaged in said slot and formed with a series of rack teeth in mesh with the pinion, the actuating bar including a laterally, outwardly projecting tab adapted for depression by the thumb of a users hand, whereby, on shifting of the actuating bar in one direction the plunger will be shifted in an opposite direction, the cap element including a handle spaced longitudinally of the dispenser from said tab to receive the index finger on said hand.

6. A liquid dispenser for attachment to a container comprising a tubular housing, means for mounting the housing upon said container with the housing extending into the container, a dispensing tube extending within the housing and having an inlet within the container and a dispensing spout outside the container, check valve means reciprocably mounted in the dispensing tube and adapted when reciprocated to draw liquid through the inlet for flow of the liquid through the spout, and mean-s mounted on the housing for reciprocating said valve means, said means for mounting the housing on the container comprising a cap element fixedly secured to the housing and adapted for fixed connection to the container, the valve means comprising an elongated plunger extending longitudinally of and within the dispensing tube, the plunger including an apertured disc slidably engaged throughout its periphery with the wall of the tube and projecting laterally from the lower end of the plunger, and a check valve element carried by said disc and adapted to permit flow through the tube only in the direction of the dispensing spout, the plunger having an elongated dispensing opening registering with the dispensing spout in each position to which the plunger is :reciprocated, said plunger including a series of rack teeth, the means for reciprocating the valve means including a pinion rotatably mounted upon the dispensing tube in mesh with said rack teeth, the housing having a longitudinal guide slot, said means for reciprocating the valve means further including an actuating bar slidably engaged in said slot and formed with a series of rack teeth in mesh with the pinion, the actuating bar including a laterally, outwardly projecting tab adapted for depression by the thumb of a users hand, whereby, on shifting of the actuating bar in one direction the plunger will be shifted in an opposite direct-ion, the cap element including a handle spaced longitudinally of the dispenser from said tab to receive the index finger on said hand, said means for reciprocating the valve means further including a spring carried by the housing and bearing against the tab, said spring being adapted to shift the actuating bar in a return direction following movement of the same in one direction by the thumb of the users hand.

7. A liquid dispenser for attachment to a container comprising a tubular housing, means for mounting the housing upon said container with the housing extending into the container, a dispensing tube extending within the housing and having an inlet within the container and a dispensing spout out-side the container, check valve means reciprocably mounted in the dispensing tube and adapted when reciprocated to draw liquid through the inlet for ilow of the liquid through the spout, and means mounted on the housing for reciprocating said valve means, said means for mounting the housing on the container comprising a cap element fixedly secured to the housing and adapted for fixed connection to the container, the valve means comprising an elongated plunger extending longitudinally of and within the dispensing tube, the plunger including an apertured disc slidably engaged throughout its periphery with the wall of the tube and projecting laterally from the lower end of the plunger, and a check valve element carried by said disc and adapted to permit fiow through the tube only in the direction of the dispensing spout, the plunger having an elongated dispensing opening registering with the dispensing spout in each position to which the plunger is reciprocated, said plunger including a series of rack teeth, the means for reciprocating the valve means including a pinion rotatably mounted upon the dispensing tube in mesh with said rack teeth, the housing having a longitudinal guide slot, means for reciprocating the valve means further including an actuating bar slidably engaged in said slot and formed with a series of rack teeth in mesh with the pinion, the actuating bar including a laterally, outwardly projecting tab adapted for depression by the thumb of a users hand, whereby, on shifting of the actuating bar in one direction the plunger will be shifted in an opposite direction, the cap element including a handle spaced longitudinally of the dispenser from said tab to receive the index finger on said hand, said means for reciprocating the valve means further including a spring carried by the housing and bearing against the tab, said spring being adapted to shift the actuating bar in a return direction following movement of the same in one direction by the thumb of the users hand, the dispensing tube being disposed eccentrically to the housing, so :as to provide an air passage within the housing surrounding the dispensing tube through which air may flow into the container to replace liquid drawn upwardly within the tube.

8. A liquid dispenser for attachment to a container comprising a tubular housing, means for mounting the housing upon said container with the housing extending into the container, a dispensing tube extending within the housing and having an inlet within the container and adispensing spout outside the container, check valve means reciprocably mounted in the dispensing tube and adapted when reciprocated to draw liquid through the inlet for flow of the liquid through the spout, and means mounted on the housing for reciprocating said valve means, said means for mounting the housing on the container comprising a cap element fixedly secured to the housing and adapted for fixed connection to the container, the valve means comprising an elongated plunger extending longitudinally of and within the dispensing tube, the plunger including an apertured disc slidably engaged throughout its periphery with the wall of the tube and projecting laterally from the lower end of the plunger, and a check valve element carried by said disc and adapted to permit flow through the tube only in the direction of the dispensing spout, the plunger having an elongated dispensing opening registering with the dispensing spout in each position to which the plunger is reciprocated, said plunger including a series of rack teeth, the means for reciprocating the valve means including a 8 pinion rotatably mounted upon the dispensing tube in mesh with said rack teeth, the housing having a longitudinal guide slot, means for reciprocating the valve means further including an actuating bar slidably engaged in said slot and formed with a series of rack teeth in mesh with the pinion, the actuating bar including a laterally, outwardly projecting tab adapted for depression by the thumb of a users hand, whereby, on shifting of the the actuating bar in one direction the plunger will be shifted in an opposite direction, the cap element including a handle spaced longitudinally of the dispenser from said tab to receive the index finger on said hand, said means for reciprocating the valve means further including a spring carried by the housing and bearing against the tab, said spring being adapted to shift the actuating bar in a return direction following movement of the same in one direction by the thumb of the users hand, the dispensing tube being disposed eccentrically to the housing, so as to provide an air passage within the housing surrounding the dispensing tube through which air may flow into the container to replace liquid drawn upwardly within the tube, said guide slot being in communication with said passage to provide an inlet for air flowing into the passage.

9. A liquid dispenser for attachment to a container comprising a tubular housing, means for mounting the housing upon said container with the housing extending into the container, a dispensing tube extending within the housing and having an inlet within the container and a dispensing spout outside the container, check valve means reciprocably mounted in the dispensing tube and adapted when reciprocated to draw liquid through the inlet for flow of the liquid through the spout, and means mounted on the housing for reciprocating said valve means, said means for mounting the housing on the container comprising a cap element fixedly secured to the housing and adapted for fixed connection to the container, the valve means comprising an elongated plunger extending longitudinally of and within the dispensing tube, the plunger including an apertured disc slidably engaged throughout its periphery with the wall of the tube and projecting laterally from the lower end of the plunger, and a check valve element carried by said disc and adapted to permit flow through the tube only in the direction of the dispensing spout, the plunger having an elongated dispensing opening registering with the dispensing spout in each position to which the plunger is reciprocated, said plunger including a series of rack teeth, the means for reciprocating the valve means including a pinion rotatably mounted upon the dispensing tube in mesh with said rack teeth, the housing having a longitudinal guide slot, said means for reciprocating the valve means further including an actuating bar slidably engaged in said slot and formed with a series of rack teeth in mesh with the pinion, the actuating bar including a laterally, outwardly projecting tab adapted for depression by the thumb of a users hand, whereby, on shifting of the actuating bar in one direction the plunger will be shifted in an opposite direction, the cap element including a handle spaced longitudinally of the dispenser from said tab to receive the index finger on said hand, said means for reciprocating the valve means further including a spring carried by the housing and bearing against the tab, said spring being adapted to shift the actuating bar in a retaurn direction following movement of the same in one direction by the thumb of the users hand, the spring being mounted upon the housing for adjustment longitudinally thereof, whereby to adjust the tension of the spring upon the tab.

References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,362,077 Bobrick Dec. 14, 1920 

